Stinson Beach, CA 94970

Tucked into the Stinson Beach hillside among a grove of redwoods, laurels and pines, the sound of a waterfall accompanies nearby ocean waves. Here lives the Tower House, a special place where nature and form come together for artful living by the Ocean. With only two owners since its creation, Valentino Agnoli designed this home in 1970. With his trademark style, the hand-built home spirals upward into the trees, providing three stories of functional sculpture with a rare 365-degree perspective of the natural world. It unfolds like a nautical ladder, a sequence of connected spaces minimizing disturbance to the land while embracing the surroundings. The air carries the scent of ocean, earth, and forest, and one settles into the rhythm of Mount Tamalpais. Ocean views are filtered through tree trunks and canopy. Life slows here, allowing one to pause.With over 70 glass windows, light moves through the home, bending softly to each detail. Clean lines are grounded with warm redwood and fir timbers. The upper floor rests under a handcrafted wood lattice ceiling, where the main living space includes a cooking area with gas range and built-in dining nook. Opposite is a loft above a walk-in closet and an alcove with a writer's desk and casement window. The middle and lower sleeping en-suites are connected by two staircases. Each bedroom is simple and refined, with a shower room and separate sink and toilet room, all with peek-a-boo ocean views.Outside, a deck and staircase lead to a thoughtfully designed art studio/bunk house with built-in desk, seating, and sleeping loft above.The Tower House is both a retreat and a gateway to West Marin. From the doorstep, one can walk to town and the beach or access the Dipsea and Matt Davis trails just moments away.It belongs to a lineage of West Coast architecture that honors the land where form is shaped by forest, light, and material, and becomes something felt as much as seen. Have a look at the video.